Thomas R. Finnin, 75

June 25, 2003

Thomas R. Finnin, a Chicago police officer for 33 years, began his police career while still playing professional football. Mr. Finnin, 75, died Sunday, June 22, of a heart attack in his Northwest Side home. He grew up on the West Side and won a football scholarship to the University of Detroit and later was named to the Titans' Hall of Fame. He was drafted by the New York Giants, but he never played for that team. Instead, he was drafted into the Army, where he served in the military police in Korea. While overseas, Mr. Finnin was traded to the Baltimore Colts. As starting defensive left tackle from 1951 to 1956, he was part of the Colts' defensive line known as "the Ferocious Five." He completed his NFL career with the Green Bay Packers in 1957. In 1955, Mr. Finnin married Florence Williams and began working as a Chicago police officer during the off-season. "When he played football, they were only making about $10,000 a year," said his daughter Florence. "His father said, `You need to find a job with an income and a pension so that your family has security.'" Mr. Finnin was promoted to sergeant in 1961 and served at various police stations on the West and Northwest Sides, retiring as a sergeant of detectives of violent crimes. At 6-foot-3 and more than 300 pounds, "He struck fear into the heart of many a criminal," said his daughter. Mr. Finnin, who sported a head of thick, white hair since age 30, "stood out in a crowd," she said. He was a founding member of the Fraternal Order of Police's Chicago lodge. He was a quiet man who "never ever bragged about his accomplishments," said his daughter. "Some people never even knew he played football." Besides his wife and daughter, survivors include two other daughters, Julie Paso and Joan Finnin; a son, Thomas E.; a sister, Joan Harcharick; three grandsons; and two granddaughters. Visitation will be from 3 to 9 p.m. Wednesday in Gibbons Funeral Home, 5917 W. Irving Park Rd. Mass will be said at 9:30 a.m. Thursday in St. Cyprian Catholic Church, 2601 N. Clinton St., River Grove.